Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 130,061	$ 131,757	$ 251,094	$ 243,417
Cost of work performed	102,665	103,158	202,569	193,299
Gross profit	27,396	28,599	48,525	50,118
Selling, general and administrative expenses	19,513	20,257	39,234	34,855
Operating income	7,883	8,342	9,291	15,263
Other income/(expense):
Equity income from unconsolidated subsidiary	114	890	165	1,559
Interest income	126	121	236	195
Interest expense	(87)	(35)	(114)	(41)
Other, net	(21)	(26)	(33)	(18)
Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interests	8,015	9,292	9,545	16,958
Provision for income taxes	2,762	3,533	3,209	6,299
Net income from continuing operations before noncontrolling interests	5,253	5,759	6,336	10,659
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(100)	(164)	(15)	(796)
Net income before noncontrolling interests	5,153	5,595	6,321	9,863
Less: Income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(299)	(205)	(635)	(490)
Net income attributable to Michael Baker Corporation	4,854	5,390	5,686	9,373
Other comprehensive income/(loss) - unrealized gain/(loss) on investments	35	13	19	(5)
Comprehensive income attributable to Michael Baker Corporation	$ 4,889	$ 5,403	$ 5,705	$ 9,368
Earnings per share ("E.P.S.") attributable to Michael Baker Corporation
Basic E.P.S. - Continuing operations	$ 0.53	$ 0.62	$ 0.62	$ 1.14
Diluted E.P.S. - Continuing operations	$ 0.53	$ 0.61	$ 0.61	$ 1.13
Basic E.P.S. - Net income	$ 0.52	$ 0.60	$ 0.62	$ 1.05
Diluted E.P.S. - Net income	$ 0.52	$ 0.59	$ 0.61	$ 1.04